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A couple important events set for Saturday, July 27: Dog Jog and Fenced Dog Park Fix-It Day

Two very important events for dog lovers are set for Saturday (July 27) morning -- the 19th annual Dog Jog at Service High from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Volunteer Fix-It Day and Grand Opening of Arctic Benson Dog Park from 9 a.m. until noon. Below are the details to help you decide which event you want to attend.

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I admit to being torn myself -- I've attended most of the Dog Jogs for the past several years and always had a good time. In fact, Jillie is the defending champion in the Fastest Sit Competition. :)

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But I've got a soft spot for the Arctic Benson Dog Park. It's the result of a local community coming together to try to make the park safer for kids and families. By adding a fenced dog park, they're hoping to take back their park by bringing a positive element -- a steady flow of dog owners -- into the park and make it less appealing for crime.

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To some dog owners, the jury's still out on whether this park will be a viable place to walk their dogs, I'm going to be out there to give the park a chance and, more importantly, to support a community that set out to make their corner of town a little better.

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WHAT: 19th Annual Dog Jog, a fundraiser for Friends of Pets. Get a pledge sheet at the above link

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WHO: Friends of Pets

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 27. A Family Fair, including a variety of booths of interest to pet owners, games, demos and contests takes place all day. The Dog Jog starts at 10 a.m., with distances for casual walkers and runners.

We need lots of people to show up both to help transform this park AND because the Rasmussen Foundation is giving the park money for improvements for every volunteer that shows up.

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Volunteers don't need to bring any tools -- just clothes that can get dirty and a readiness to have fun and work hard!

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The fence looks great, but there are some small gaps between the fence and the ground. We need volunteers to fill in the gaps and adjust the grade to ensure that dogs can't dig under and get out. This is important for safety and long term sustainability.

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Other work that needs to be completed:

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* Install the official dog park sign

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* Install the dog poop bag "mutt mitt" station

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* Sand and paint benches

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* Spread topsoil and reseed grassy open section around playground

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* Re-level the gravel in the playground and make a nice defined edge around the perimeter

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* Paint the blue part of the playground, and touch up other parts that need to be repainted